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IOC proposes global betting monitoring system

IOC proposes global betting monitoring system

IOC proposes global betting monitoring system

May. 14, 2013

https://www.apnews.com/291a35cce7c84776b3eaec3580addb3d

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The IOC is proposing the establishment of a global system for monitoring betting patterns during major sports events, the latest step in efforts to guard against corruption and match-fixing.

An International Olympic Committee working group held its fourth meeting Tuesday on the threat of illegal and irregular betting in sports.

The IOC already has its own system in place for monitoring betting during the Olympics. The panel called for an "Olympic movement monitoring system" similar to the one used at last year's London Games to be made available to international sports federations to use during their championships.

"Irregular and illegal betting attacks the very foundations of sport, and our efforts to combat the threat require the commitment of a number of important partners, specifically governments," IOC President Jacques Rogge said in a statement.

"The setting up of a common sports monitoring system still needs to be discussed by the Olympic movement, but the work undertaken by the founding working group is paving the way forward and we have made significant progress since our first meeting in 2011."

Tuesday's meeting in Lausanne was attended by representatives of sports bodies, governments, international organizations and betting operators.

The group called on sports bodies worldwide to use "all existing tools and measures" to deal with the threat and urged governments to adopt legislation against irregular and illegal sports betting. It also recommended that sports bodies set up a system allowing anyone to report suspicious activity on a confidential basis.

The IOC has monitored betting patterns at the Olympics in Beijing, Vancouver and London, with no irregularities reported.

An Irish Olympic sailor, Peter O'Leary, received a warning from the IOC in December for betting on a rival to win during the 2008 Beijing Games. IOC rules bar athletes from betting on Olympic events.

After an investigation by its ethics commission, the IOC said there was no evidence of match-fixing and O'Leary had not been fully aware of the betting rules at the time.